Ezekiel 12:1-28

　　　The Israelites rebelled against God; although they had the law, priest, temple and worship, their hearts were hardened, to the point that they see but do not perceive and hear but do not understand (v. 2). Likewise when we continually reject the prompting of the Holy Spirit, we too will develop a callous heart. Our eyes will not see His truth and God’s words will not have much effect on us.

　　　God in His patience continually showed grace to His people. He gave detailed instructions to Ezekiel to act out the signs of captivity: He was to pack his bag and set out like one running away from captivity. He was to dig through the wall of his house like one who is desperate to escape and cover his face like one who is ashamed (v. 4-6). He was to tremble as he ate his meal and shudder in fear as he drank his water (v. 18). God went through all these because He desired for His people to turn and repent (v. 3), even though He fully knew their hearts. He is a God who is slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents in sending calamity- Joel 2:13. Because God is also a righteous and Holy God- He cannot tolerate sin, the symbols that Ezekiel acted out became a judgement upon the unrepentant Israelites. Those who rebel against God will ultimately face serious consequences.

　　　God prepared answers for Ezekiel in response to the Israelites’ questions (v. 10-11, 23-25, 28). God always equip and provide for His servants when He calls them, just like He gave words to Moses to speak to Pharoah (Exodus 4:12) and food delivered by raven for Elijah during a famine (2 King 17:4). We can be sure if God calls us, He will surely provide for all the necessities.

　　　The symbolic acts of Ezekiel were an object lesson of what is to come; the words of God spoken through Ezekiel became a reality: Zechariah, the Prince of Judah was captured, and his army was scattered. All these events were recorded in 2 King 25:1-7. We too can be sure that what the Bible said about the end times, the coming of Jesus Christ and the day of judgement, as well as the promise of an eternal dwelling place-free from death, mourning, crying or pain will all come true. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished- Matthew 5:18.

　　　When calamities befall the people, the surviving remnants whether those taken into exile (v.15-16) or those in the war-torn land of Jerusalem would acknowledge God for who He is (v. 20). Likewise, one day at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue acknowledges that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father-Phil. 2:10-11 and Rev. 5:13.

　　　Despite the visual and spoken warnings from Ezekiel, the people did not take it to heart; they incited God to hasten His judgement when they said ‘the days go by and every vision comes to nothing’. Some carried a nonchalant attitude for they thought the prophecies were for the distant future and therefore they would not be affected (v.27). The Israelite’s behavior provoked God to promise that every vision will be fulfilled without delay, during their days (v.23, 25, 28). We must not confuse God’s patience as His impotence, absence or lack of concern.

　　　The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance- 2 Peter 3:9. Praise the Lord for His long suffering with us, may we not take Him for granted. Teach us, O God to fear you so that we will not rebel against you. 　　　— Lai Yee Leong

以西结书Ezekiel 11:1-25 (Please scroll down for English)

　　成语“冥顽不灵”，出自韩愈《祭鳄鱼文》，曰：“不然，则是鳄鱼冥顽不灵，刺史虽有言，不闻不知也。”今人醉心电玩等新奇玩意，已不怎知晓古人遗风了。所幸者，犹有出土文物如阿庆嫂与我学生等食古不化辈，虽非书不读秦汉以降，偶尔怀古，亦“足以极视听之娱，信可乐也”焉。

　　这句子中，韩愈他老人家在咧咧些甚么呢？好说。原来蠢货鳄鱼秉性凶猛，但对于负责检查监督那位朝廷刺史的高论，却是听而不闻，闻而不解。此谓之“冥顽不灵“者。

　　鳄鱼冥顽不灵，也就罢了，它本身就没有灵么。但以色列人背叛神，对先知的话语置若罔闻，那可真的是冥顽不灵，所谓“先知虽有言，不闻不知也”了。所以，神指导先知以西结以各种看来怪异左右侧卧，绳索捆锁、粪焙麦饼、剃头烧须等等，以期引起以色列人注意他们当中有神的先知。以色列人背离神，至此可谓铁石心肠。
记得约拿的传道么？他只不过“进城走了一日，宣告说，再等四十日，尼尼微必倾覆了。”便得到“尼尼微人信服神，便宣告禁食，从最大的到至小的，都穿麻衣。这信息传到尼尼微王的耳中，他就下了宝座，脱下朝服，披上麻布，坐在灰中。他又使人遍告尼尼微通城，说，王和大臣有令，人不可尝什么，牲畜，牛羊不可吃草，也不可喝水。人与牲畜都当披上麻布，人要切切求告神。各人回头离开所行的恶道，丢弃手中的强暴。”（拿3）约拿大概可恭列历史上最伟大的布道家之一，（荣耀归于差派他的神）但同是神的先知，以西结向神的选民宣告悔改，却是受尽磨难，因为人心已经邪恶到冥顽不灵的地步了，“先知虽有言，不闻不知也”。还有救么？

　　有。神启示摩西说：“耶和华，耶和华，是有怜悯有恩典的神，不轻易发怒，并有丰盛的慈爱和诚实。为千万人存留慈爱，赦免罪孽，过犯，和罪恶，万不以有罪的为无罪，必追讨他的罪，自父及子，直到三，四代。”在细数了犹大的罪恶过犯和公义的审判后，他告诉先知：“耶和华如此说，我虽将以色列全家远远迁移到列国中，将他们分散在列邦内，我还要在他们所到的列邦，暂作他们的圣所。”（16）神是又鞭打、又缠裹的神，他的公义，不容罪恶，他的慈爱，永远长存。人算什么？“不过是尘土”（诗103:14），但“得赦免其过，遮盖其罪的，这人是有福的。”（诗32:1）神的选民是有福的。神告诉先知如此向被掳的民宣告：“你当说，主耶和华如此说，我必从万民中招聚你们，从分散的列国内聚集你们，又要将以色列地赐给你们。他们必到那里，也必从其中除掉一切可憎可厌的物。我要使他们有合一的心，也要将新灵放在他们里面，又从他们肉体中除掉石心，赐给他们肉心，使他们顺从我的律例，谨守遵行我的典章。他们要作我的子民，我要作他们的神。”（17-20）为自己的名，神要拯救以色列。

　　想像我们自己，今天，虽非被掳而去国，但春节的桃花，端午的鼓响、中秋的明月、重阳的红紫、数九的飞雪，数十年挥之不去，因而偶有“此生谁料，心在天山，身老沧州”的陆游吟，不知阁下作何如想？今天虽半生已矣，更无意苏武牧羊，但遥想冥顽的地土，千百年抗拒真神拜假神，罪大了去。但主的救恩不可抗拒，救恩已临到中华。神不离弃冥顽不灵的以色列，神和主耶稣也必不离弃海棠叶上“口里认耶稣为主，心里信神叫他从死里复活”的选民。

　　神差遣先知以西结，主耶稣以“天上地下所有的权柄”差遣我们。我们的回应是：“我在这里，请差遣我。” 即使，那里“有荆棘和蒺藜在你那里，你又住在蝎子中间”，“总不要怕”（2:6）。神吩咐说。 　　　— David Yip

Ezekiel 11:1-25

　　An ancient Chinese folklore teases a senseless crocodile to be ignorant of the government official announcement, concluding that the crocodile was “illiterate and unwise”. As a classic, the prose has been populated ever since the Tang Dynasty.

　　Indeed, crocodile, the specie itself, is no doubt illiterate and unwise. For the creature is nothing more than instinct-driven reptile. When the people of Israel rebelled against God, they were completely senseless to the oracles of God spoken by the prophets, and they were truly illiterate and unwise. They were so stubborn that God had to direct Ezekiel the prophet with the many different gestures, in order to draw attention from the people and remind them that there were prophets in Israel. We remember Jonah the prophet. Only when he “on the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: ‘Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned.’” He yielded fruitfully, for “The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.” Perhaps Jonah can be thought of as the greatest evangelist in Christian mission history. Same as the prophet of God, however, Ezekiel urged the people of Israel to repent, but they mistreated him. Is there any hope for such a corrupted people? Yes.

　　”The LORD, the LORD“, God thus revealed himself to Moses, “the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.” After listing the many sins and transgressions of Judah and the righteous judgments, he told the prophet, “Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.’” (16), God is the God who whips and heals, he is jealous of sins, yet his love endures forever. What is man? Dust we are; (Psalm 104:14) but “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” (Psalm 32:1) Blessed is God’s chosen. Through the prophet God declared, “Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again. They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols. I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.’”(17-20) for his name’s sake, God will rescue Israel.

　　Comparing the situation to that of China, generations our ancestors rejected the call from the above to repent and return to God. On one hand it seems to be a deserted land for hope, but the grace and salvation of God, one the other hand, is irresistible. From the countless many young Christians participating in my remote classes with hearts of thirstiness to the heavenly truth, we do see the dawning of salvation, laminating its radiance on that dark and slumbering land in the East. For since God does not give up Israel, he will not give up those who confess with their mouths, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in their hearts that God raised him from the dead, (Rom 10:9) his chosen in his timeless plan of salvation.

　　God sent Ezekiel the prophet. Likewise, Lord Jesus, with “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matt 28:18) in hand, is sending us today. He is expecting our response, “Send me Lord, I am here.” Be not afraid, Jesus says, “though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions.”(2:6)　　　— David Yip

以西结书10:1-22；诗篇128:1-6

　　这两章经节给我们一鲜明的对比。
以西结书第十章讲的是神的刑罚，而诗篇第一百二十八篇是神的承诺和祝福。

　　神的刑罚

　　神差遣以西结呼吁他的子民回转，但由于他的子民无视神的警告，依旧我行我素、悖逆神，结果神的荣耀就升到「殿的门坎 」，神就离开他的百姓，而百姓所面临的是神的审判，是神亲手把火炭撒在耶路撒冷城上的！是神亲手毁灭他的圣殿和圣城！神不要这充满污秽的圣殿和圣城！神借着巴比伦军队审判耶路撒冷。B.C.588年，尼布甲尼撒率领军队包围了耶路撒冷，B.C.586年，他终于攻陷了耶路撒冷。罪使我们失去神的同在和祝福、以致于我们就落入黑暗和痛苦中！神不能容忍罪恶，但他爱世人；可惜世人都犯了罪，到罪恶满盈而不悔改，神的刑罚就临到。

　　神的承诺与祝福

　　凡敬畏耶和华、遵行他道的人，便为有福。你要吃劳碌得来的，你要享福，事情顺利。你妻子在你的内室，好像多结果子的葡萄树；你儿女围绕你的桌子，好像橄榄栽子。看哪，敬畏耶和华的人，必要这样蒙福！这是多么美丽的一幅被神祝福的全家福！丈夫的劳碌蒙神祝福，贤惠温柔的妻子，孝顺和敬畏神的儿女，还有一健康的身体。人生什么是幸福？是事业有成，功成名就，是高官还是名科学家还是名企业家？若是没有一受神祝福的和睦幸福家庭，何谓幸福！

　　一个敬畏神的人，他的「个人」必定蒙福；他的工作会顺利，他一切辛苦劳碌的，都必蒙主的保守，他会经历凡事顺利的福分！圣经中神不断应许，凡敬畏神、遵行神的道的人，凡他所做的尽都顺利；他的工作、人际关系、一切与他有关的事情都有神的赐福！因此，让我们作一个敬畏神、遵行他的道的人，我们必定能经历凡事兴盛的祝福！一个敬畏神的人，不但他个人会蒙福，他的家庭也必蒙福。因为神乐意这样赐福我们！神也乐意透过我们家庭的见证，让人看见，原来敬畏神的人真的是这样的蒙福。好吸引更多的人来认识神，是的，再没有比一个和乐的家庭更能荣耀神的名了！

　　主啊！愿我们一生敬畏你、遵行你的道、以至于我们的家庭及我们属灵的家都必定蒙福！　　　— Haiyue Nie

以西結書8:1-18;  9:1-11

        想必大家都聽說過又甚至是很熟悉 George Floyd 的事件，這件事也很強烈的影響到了美國的政治情況和社會動亂。

        今天並沒有要談論政治或是社會議題的細節，我只是最近聽到了一件跟這件事有關的消息，剛好跟今天的經文有關，就想要跟大家分享。

        在 George Floyd 不幸過世後，許多人為了紀念他，紛紛分享他的故事，支持這個社會運動。有些人甚至以他為榮、為英雄、為榜樣。雖然George Floyd的逝去是很不幸的，但是身為有著像是搶劫、吸毒、偷竊這些前科的他，卻也不應該是人們所應該尊敬又或是崇拜的對象。但是很不幸的是，現在到處都是紀念他榮耀他的跡象，像是藝術家把他的頭像塗鴉在牆壁上來紀念他。

        但是就在這兩天，Ohio 出了一個新聞說有閃電摧毀了一片George Floyd 的塗鴉牆。我前兩天聽到一位基督徒分享說這可能是個巧合、是個意外，但他相信這是神的作為，他也相信現在我們就在末世裡，我們會越來越看到神的作為。

        我們無法知道這是不是神的作為，但是我們可以確信的一件事情就是我們是活在末世中，我們活的世界裡面充滿了可憎的事、令神厭惡的行為。神是聖潔和公義的神，祂與罪惡勢不兩立。而就像以西結書記錄的，對於所有以色列家和猶大家所做的罪孽神說「故此，我眼必不顧惜，也不可憐他們，要照他們所行的報應在他們頭上。」(以西結書 9:10)

        耶穌再來的時間沒有人知道，但我們可以確信的是我們正活在末世當中。我們要好好的檢視自己，坦然的誠實的問自己是否真的了解救恩，是否真的相信了耶穌的救恩，並且是否依照神的吩咐活出一個與我們新生命相符的生活呢？因為當耶穌再來的時候，我們站在祂的審判台前的時候再去後悔就已經來不及了。             — Bob

以西结书 7:1-27

　　在这一章的前10节经文中，多次提到了“结局到了”、“结局来了”、“时候到了”、“日子近了”、“日子快到了”，这都表明以色列的结局临近，以色列的全境都要陷入巴比伦国的侵占和被掳中，原因是百姓们违背神的律例典章，离弃神，不回转自己的脚步归向神。所以神说【耶和华的话又临到我说：“人子啊，主耶和华对以色列地如此说：结局到了！结局到了地的四境。现在你的结局已经临到，我必使我的怒气归与你，也必按你的行为审判你，照你一切可憎的事刑罚你。（结7:1-3）】

　　第10节到第27节描述了结局来到时以色列的景象，强暴兴起，以色列人或是他们的群众，财产无一存留（11节），买卖双方都要失去利益（12、13节），面对来侵的敌人，再怎么吹角，也无人应战（14节），城外有外敌，城内有瘟疫（疾病），食物短缺到你有钱也买不到（15-17节），圣殿被毁（21、22节），百姓被掳（23节），再没有平安而言。
读到这里想象着当时的景象，真的觉得他们的下场好凄惨，也对当时的以色列人就在这样的情况下，仍然不回头转向神而是去拜其它偶像寻求解救而生气，恨不得想拉住他们告诉他们唯有神是他们的帮助者，其实他们有这样的下场，都与他们所行的罪孽有关，神对以色列民的忿怒与不顾，都与他们的行为、他们的心思意念有关，神的忿怒源自于祂的公义、圣洁，因为以色列人一味地反复行神眼中为恶的事，离弃神拜其它偶像，神就会收回祂施恩怜悯的手，因为祂想要以色列人知道【我是耶和华】。

　　转眼看看我们现在的生活，战乱、疫情、暴动、抗议、洪水、山火屡有发生，特别是这次的疫情，反反复复不断蔓延，面对这些难免会有人问，为什么神会允许这样的事情发生？
面对这样的质疑时，我有我的软弱，当一个人或是两个人在我周围说时，我会不以为然，也会坚定的反驳说这么说不对，神不会这么对我们的，但当这样的质疑越来越多，意外事件一波未平 一波又起，事态没有好转时，我的心有时就会动摇。
但是很感恩的是，自从疫情一开始师母就带领姐妹们每天一起灵修，学习神的话语、分享、彼此代祷，每天都沉浸在神的话语中，让我清楚坚定地明白，神是慈爱的神，也是实行公义的神，祂不把有罪的当成无罪的，暗中作恶的，歪曲圣经真理的，人们私下谈论的，人们自以为神看不见、听不见，那都是自己骗自己，神其实都知道，神的本性是爱，祂可以用神迹奇事，大能大力带领祂的百姓出埃及，赐应许之地，丰富供应他们。
但当他们不把神当神看，轻慢神，反复离弃神不回转时，神也可以用责打、灾难、丢弃掩面不顾来管教祂的百姓和儿女，祂不是要灭绝他们，而是让他们认识神、回归神。
所以这也提醒我们，当不好的事情发生时，我们首先要做的是自省、祷告、回转，而不是质疑神，要知道祂是爱我们的耶和华神，要预备好我们的心等候祂，因为祂也在等候我们【耶和华必然等候，要赐恩给你们（以赛亚书30:18）】。
要知道当我们都看到事情越来越糟的时候，神怎么会不知道，不顾暇呢？
我们需要做的就是祷告，真心地完全交托，让祂按照自己的方法和时间成就，
【你当默然倚靠耶和华，耐性等候祂，不要因那道路通达的和那恶谋成就的心怀不平（诗37:7）】。　　　— Xin Jin

Ezekiel 5:1-17;  6:1-14

Chapter 5

　　The symbolic actions about the destruction of Jerusalem contines from Chapter 4.  Ezekiel is the only prophetic book that is completely autobiographical, written in first person from the vantage point of the prophet himself and it also contains a larger number of symbolic actions than any other prophetic book.

　　A chapter 5 highlight of this is in verses 1-4, the shaving of the hair and beard.  Cutting of parts of the beard for Israelite men was prohibited and could represent great personal shame or be a sign of mourning.  Verses 5-10 interprets the symbolism.  The hairs burned in the fire represent those who will die of plague or disease during the siege; the hairs struck with the sword represent those who will die in battle and the aftermath of the siege; the hairs dispersed by the wind represent those who will be carried into exile.  It is striking that Ezekiel does not elaborate on the significance of the few hairs retained in the folds of his garment; they symbolize the survivors who will remain in Jerusalem (Jer 40:7-12).

Chapter 6  Judgement Against Idolatry

　　Though Ezekiel addresses ‘hills and mountains’ as his metaphorical audience, the real audience was the exiles themselves.  He is speaking of the ‘high places’ the Canaanites worshiped and sadly, the Israelites worshiped the pagan gods of the Canaanites (and other false gods) on these shrines as well.  Ezekiel promises the shrines will be desecrated by the dead bodies of the Israelites.  ‘And you shall know that I am the Lord’ in verse 7 is the revelation that the Lord Himself is the ruler of history by announcing events beforehand.

　　In verse 8 Ezekiel introduces the remnant that embodies the future hopes of the people, and they inherit the promise of God afresh.  The Exile was to be a period of purging and refining so that a pure people could emerge from it.

　　Summation:  The Israelites pursued their own ‘culture’ and the culture of those around them instead of living in HIS culture.  The result was death and exile.

　　The same applies today:  When we pursue our culture instead of living in  HIS culture – we build and live in our idol ‘houses’ and ‘kingdoms’  – not living FROM the house He built for us in His kingdom.  What we think is ‘freedom’ is really slavery, death and exile – not the true Freedom God has for us.  Jesus is Rock and as believers, all should be built on that rock.  Believers pursue Him and follow His ways.  This requires discipline but brings a purging and refining that allows Christians to know the hope only Jesus brings.　　　— Mary Mauderer

Ezekiel 3:1-27 ~ 4:1-17

　　The book of Ezekiel is filled with visions and bizarre symbols to illustrate God’s judgment upon Israel and neighboring countries, as well as hope of restoration of the future perfected kingdom of God. After God called Ezekiel to prophesy against the nation Israel (Chapter 2), God equipped Ezekiel with His words – He told Ezekiel to eat the scroll, which is His words (3:1). Ezekiel was already living in exile with his fellow countrymen in Babylon (3:11). At this time, Jerusalem had not yet been destroyed and those exiled in Babylon still carried hope of returning to their homeland soon. Ezekiel’s role was to reveal the heart rendering message (2:9b) of divine judgment against Israel and Judah (Jerusalem). God told Ezekiel to eat the scroll so that he could deliver His message of judgment. I imagine this was probably carried out like a vision which Peter experienced in Acts 10:9-14 when he was told to kill the so-called unclean animals and eat them. When we eat (read) and digest (breakdown and understand) spiritual food (Bible), we will be nourished (better equipped) to share with others the bread (word) from God. That was what Ezekiel had to do in order to relay God’s warnings and judgment against the rebellious nation of Israel (3:4-7). Apart from understanding the word of God (3:10), Ezekiel must also stand firm and be courageous in delivering the message, even if the message is harsh and rejected by his people (3:8-11, 27). It is easy to get hung up on how others would react whenever we share the gospel, but the lesson here for me is to share the truth and leave the rest for God to work it out.

　　God also laid upon Ezekiel his responsibility of warning the Israelites. Whether they are wicked or righteous, it is imperative that Ezekiel warn them against sinning. His failure to do so may possibly contribute to them dying for their sins, as well as jeopardize his eternal future (3:16-20). As believers, we have a responsibility to share the gospel to others and to warn them of the judgment to come. When we face the Lord at His judgment seat one day, will we be judged favorably for our obedience to His Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20)?

　　God called Ezekiel to act out the symbol of judgment against Jerusalem. Ezekiel used a clay tablet to make a model of Jerusalem and he built siege works of ramp and battering rams around the tablet. Ezekiel was also to hold an iron pan between him and the clay tablet to signify Jerusalem would be under attack with an unbreakable siege (4:1-3).

　　Moreover, Ezekiel himself was also to act out the sins of the nation by lying on his side for more than a year! 390 days lying on his left to represent the same number of years of Israel’s sins and 40 days to represent the same number of years of Judah’s sins. He was also to ration his food and drink during the 390 days on his side (4:9-11). Aside from preparing his food, Ezekiel probably lay down much of his time so as to abide by the rules given by God for he could not turn from one side to the other until he had finished the days of his siege (4:4-8). Ezekiel was to cook his food over human excrement initially, but by the grace of God, he was allowed to substitute for cow manure. God wanted Ezekiel to drive home the message to the people in exile about the repercussion of their sins (4:16-17). It was an imagery of famine and horror ( defilement using excrement as fuel for baking) that would strike the people in the days to come. Ezekiel’s street theater probably made people take notice of his message and realize it was because of their idolatry, they had defiled their temple, city and land. As a result, God withdrew himself from His people and judged them with a national judgement.

　　God has His ways of communicating with His people. He used vision, imagery and symbols to bring home His message to His people in exile. Today, we have His words communicated to us in the Bible. By His love and grace, Jesus, the Son of God incarnate in human flesh, in order to communicate with us, and show us the way to be reconciled with Him. Let us encourage each other to be bold and faithful in spreading the gospel-the message of repentance, hope and salvation which is recorded so amazingly in the Bible for us. 　　　— Lai Yee Leong

以西结书 Ezekiel 1:1-28 ~ 2:1-10 (Please scroll down for English)

　　以色列在扫罗、大卫、所罗门治下，一度是强盛的联合王国。但好景不长，这个盛极一时的联合王国只延续了百余年，然后哥儿们各立门户。十个支派在北边，唤作“以色列”；两个支派在南边，大名“犹大”，彼此间，各吹各的号，各唱各的调。北国以色列，国祚210年，被亚述所灭；南国继续存在105年之后，在586 B.C.被巴比伦攻陷，人民被掳，唯余旧事如流水，神呼召先知以西结，就在这一历史时期。以西结，如同耶利米，他除了先知，还有祭司职份，但环境让他不能履行祭司职责，因为征服犹大的巴比伦人把他作为俘虏，带到了巴比伦去。少年但以理在605 B.C.被掳到巴比伦，第二次对犹大的攻击，发生在597 B.C.，以西结就是在这次攻击中被巴比伦掳去的。如此，以西结先知至少与另外两位同期：哭泣先知耶利米，在巴比伦因为解梦而大得尼布甲尼撒王青睐的但以理，还有先知哈巴谷大概也恭逢其盛，大概。

　　其时也，犹大乱世，却有先知辈出，神兴起他们宣讲悔改的讯息，但可惜众生硬着颈项铁了心，置先知的警告与呼吁于罔闻，与今日末世天下愚氓行径，可说是一般无二。

　　各位，你预备好在这末世蒙神呼召宣讲天国的讯息了吗？耶和华说： “万民都当兴起，上到约沙法谷。因为我必坐在那里，审判四围的列国。开镰吧。因为庄稼熟了。”（珥3:12-13）
主耶稣说：“要收的庄稼多，作工的人少。所以你们当求庄稼的主，打发工人出去收他的庄稼。”（路10:2）别当这是玩笑，“作先知讲道”是“更要羡慕”的属灵恩赐。（林前14:1）

　　据本书介绍，以西结是一位异象先知。第一章1节就以他见到的异象开始。
诗云“既见君子，云胡不喜”，先知以西结却是 “既见异象，云胡不诲”。

　　一章4-28节中，他对天庭的描述，比较以赛亚书六章似乎更为详尽，26-28节的记载，与使徒约翰在启示录第四章所见丝丝入扣。各位听说过没有，有高人言之凿凿，说启示录第四章，是约翰从以西结的记录中抄袭转述的云云，雅不知说者如何得此莫名其妙的逻辑怪论？

　　设若，我们教会的电脑英杰邵勇弟兄报说GCBC坐北朝南，前临马路后有水沟，停车场东西两侧，西侧有地，解决水源后可耕作瓜果菜蔬；然后另一为电脑专才Scott弟兄也有此说，一般无二，他两人就都是真相的目击证人。
同样，先知以西结与使徒约翰所见，是神永恒的荣耀，异象相同，他们也就是神的两位目击证人，连同先知以赛亚，则是“对影成三人”的荣耀见证，以传道、解惑、宣扬救恩，有何不可？经云，“要凭两三个人的口作见证，句句都可定准。”（太18:16 c.f. 申19:15）三位先知，不是一同见证天国荣美么？何必非无中生有地说成是“抄袭转述”而哗众？如斯高人，不敢恭维，不赘。时维末世，诸版乖谬学说嚣尘肆上荼毒人众，人要审判神，各位警醒。

　　见异象，不为显摆，而是为了神的荣耀。先知见异象，差遣随之来，（各位留意了）。
“他对我说，人子阿，我差你往悖逆的国民以色列人那里去。他们是悖逆我的，他们和他们的列祖违背我，直到今日。”（2:3）换了你和我，早知见异象伴随如此重托，会不会心生悔意，暗暗埋怨说：“神啊，何必偏偏选中我？”因为，神对先知们的差派，不是去升官发财，而是“有荆棘和蒺藜在你那里，你又住在蝎子中间” (6) 的去处。你道先知以西结不会记得，以色列人违背神的列祖，是如何对待住在蝎子中间的以利亚先知？

　　但他更记得，当先知以利亚软弱求死，天使给他水和饼，让他吃了之后能一口气奔跑到地处沙漠的何烈山。当先知以西结受差遣要去到极其悖逆的民当中，神给他的装备，是一卷其甜如蜜的书卷。这书卷里外“都写着字，其上所写的有哀号，叹息，悲痛的话。”怎么可能？如此一部书卷，怎能是既甜如蜜（参第三章），又满纸哀号，叹息，悲痛？

　　原来，神的话语甘之如饴，但对顽梗的民，却是医治痼疾的苦口良药。
保罗说：“因为我们在神面前，无论在得救的人身上，或灭亡的人身上，都有基督馨香之气。在这等人，就作了死的香气叫他死。在那等人，就作了活的香气叫他活。这事谁能当得起呢？”（林后2:15-16）神的先知、仆人当得起。他们不讨人的喜悦，不媚俗邀宠，不为财利，神的吩咐，照直宣讲，“向着标竿直跑，要得神在基督耶稣里从上面召我来得的奖赏。”（腓3:14）

　　今天，民心悖逆，不识真神。即如荆棘蒺藜蝎子，求神赐我们甘甜书卷，宣扬真道，因为“信道是从听道来的，听道是从基督的话来的。”（罗10:17）你、我，蒙恩都已被赐予先知和祭司的荣耀职份。（参林前14:1; 彼前2:9）珍重，枕戈，待旦。　　　— David Yip

Ezekiel 1-2

　　Israel, under the reign of kings Saul, David, and Solomon, was once a united kingdom strong and prosperous. Her good old days lasted for but a century or so, then came a division. Ten of the Israel twelve tribes formed the Northern Kingdom called Israel, and the other two the Sothern Kingdom known as Judah. Israel lasted 210 years and was eventually conquered by the Assyrians while Judah struggled to survive for another 105 years, ended up crushed by the Babylonians. Under the enemy’s captivity the people were exiled. It was in this historical moment God raised up Ezekiel the prophet. Also called to the ministry were prophets Jeremiah, Daniel, and very possibly Habakkuk. During the people’s going astray, God sent his prophets to call people for repentance, but with their harden hearts they refused to take heed. Is today’s situation similar with that of two and half millennium ago in Judah?

　　We as God’s people must be ready to be called to His Majesty’s Services. For thus saith the LORD, “Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side. Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe.” (Joel 3:13-14) Lord Jesus challenged his disciples: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Luke 10:2) Do not be mistaken that the calls are merely jokes, or we contest the call because we think we are not prophets. “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.” (1 Cor 14:1) What Paul urges is that we are to desire for the gift of prophecy if we truly love our Lord.

　　Ezekiel is characterized as a prophet of vision; the book starts with his vision to the heavenly realm. In 1:4-28, the information seems to be even finer than Isaiah 6. And the description in 26-28 closely resembles that of Revelation 4.  They are so vividly written that some speculates that what John the apostle penned in Revelation 4 is plagiarized from Ezekiel. This assertion is nothing more than a pure nonsense.

　　If, say, member A of GCBC reports that the church building’s main door faces the south and there is a drainage ditch on the north side, the church’s parking lots are located on the east and west sides; member B also details the identical geographical information about the church building. The most possible conclusion is that they both are the witnesses of the factual truth instead of plagiarizing from one another. Likewise, Ezekiel and John both witnessed the same glory of the physical heaven, along with Isaiah, they are the trio witnesses testifying the heavenly marvel. “Every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” (Matt 18:16 c.f. Deut 19:15) How, then, can the liberal theologians come up with such spiritually poisonous rubbish? Men have been in their attempt to trial God and we as His children must stay alert.

　　The purpose of having vision to heaven is not for showing off, rather, it is for the glory of God. with the vision there comes God’s assignment. (let us be ready) “And He said to me: ‘Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day.’” (2:3) If we were to be assigned, complaint could rash out: “Oh God, why me?” For we understand that God is not sending us to be prosperous in worldly business, he sends us where “briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions.” (6) It is certain that the prophet is well familiar with the historical record in how the rebellious fathers of Israel treated Elijah. But, clearer in Ezekiel’s mind is that God takes care his own. When Elijah asked God to take his life, an angel provided to him bread and water for him, which energized him to run 40 days to Horeb. Now, when Ezekiel is sent, God gives him a scroll “tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.” Also denotes is that “on both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe.” (2:10) How can a scroll be as sweet as honey, but also with words of lament and mourning and woe?

　　To his people, the word of God is no question sweet as honey. To the rebellious nations, God’s truth is like the medication in the old time, it cures, but it is bitter. The apostle Paul concludes: “For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life.” Continued, he inquires, “And who is sufficient for these things?” (2 Cor 2:16) Yes, God’s prophets and servants are sufficient for these things. They serve the only Master without trying to please the public, nor for money and their own stomachs; they preach according to the truth of God for the reward that they are called to receive.

　　Today we live in a sinful world, people’s hearts are harden and eyes are blind. God has given us the scroll with the sweet gospel and we pray that the Lord will send us. Our hope is not rest on the government nor the political parties nor the individuals/heroes. “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” (Rom 10:17) So send us God.　　　— David Yip

詩篇127:1-5

　　雖然只是五節的短詩，卻是所羅門王所體驗的極寶貴真理。

　　v1，「若不是耶和華建造房屋，建造的人就枉然勞力；若不是耶和華看守城池，看守的人就枉然警醒。」

　　神給所羅門王的絕頂智慧，列王中沒有一個能比（王上3:13），所羅門作王時期所創建、所成就的功業，也是無人能比的，列王紀上4:29-34記載他的智慧勝過萬人，名聲傳揚在四圍的列國，天下列王聽見所羅門的智慧，就都差人來聽他的智慧話。

　　世人都在努力求取智慧，努力於使用學問、知識、技能以建造更美好的人生，這是正確的，是神按祂自己的形像與樣式造人時所賦予的本質。在人類發展的歷史中，更是看見人藉著智慧與努力奮鬥所建造的世界，日新月異，不斷進步。但是，所羅門王領悟到，人憑著神所賜給的智慧，認真努力的工作是人的本分，是神對人的要求，至於其努力是否能有所成就，其建造是否能有所結果，其成就與結果是有價值與意義，是否能合神的心意並使神的真理發揚光大，全都在乎於神。──
創業與守成都極重要，但「若不是……」出於神，就「枉然……」勞力與警醒。

　　所羅門王以他的生命經歷體驗了神的真理，明白的教訓世人，雖然人要發揮智慧，要努力不懈，但掌權的是神。神有絕對的權柄隨祂自己的意思成就在每一個人的身上，所以當存敬畏神的心，當將一切事交託仰望於神的恩典。（不是把自己做不到的一切憂慮交託給神，卻把自己做得到的事交給自己。）

　　v2，「你們清晨早起，夜晚安歇，喫勞碌得來的飯，本是枉然；惟有耶和華所親愛的，必叫他安然睡覺。」

　　這一節所說的，似乎不同於所羅門王在傳道書5:18, 19所說的：「我所見為善為美的，就是人在神賜他一生的日子喫喝，享受日光之下勞碌得來的好處，因為這是他的分。神賜人資財豐富，使他能以喫用，能取自己的分，在他勞碌中喜樂，這乃是神的恩賜。」
兩者並無不同，人要享受勞碌所得，是神的「恩賜」，不是勞碌的必然結果。我們也見過一些例子，有些人一生勞碌，確實頗有成就，卻沒有機會享受勞碌所得。因此，聖經提醒我們，必須要懂得感恩，必須要敬畏神，必須要依靠神，必須要祈求神保守，必須要遵行神的旨意。

　　v3，「兒女是耶和華所賜的產業；所懷的胎是他所給的賞賜。」感謝主！
　　v4, 5「少年時所生的兒女好像勇士手中的箭。箭袋充滿的人便為有福；他們在城門口和仇敵說話的時候，必不至於羞愧。」要體會神的旨意！
　　聖經沒有說兒女是神賜給我們的禮物，而是說兒女是神賜給我們的產業，是神國度的產業，是屬神的，我們理當要按神的旨意「經營」這寶貴的產業，也就是要按神的旨意教養兒女。

　　我們都是神的子民，都是君尊的祭司，都是耶穌基督的見證，都是宣揚救恩福音的勇士，我們也當要教養兒女成為福音的勇士。試想，我們都樂意委身事奉，如果我們的兒女也與我們一同事奉，「上陣父子兵」是多麼寶貴，多麼讓人安慰，多麼有力量。

　　「他們在城門口和仇敵說話的時候，必不至於羞愧。」當我們在面對那敵基督的惡者撒旦對我們攻擊時，一家人一起同心合意的信靠神，依據真理，一同爭戰，戰必勝、功必克，不是因為我們的努力，乃是因為合乎神的旨意。

　　感謝主，讓我們明白真理的教訓；感謝主，給我們機會得以實踐在我們的生命中；求主幫助我們，敬畏神，謙卑的遵行神的旨意，按神的旨意教養兒女。　　　— Solomon Liu

雅歌7:1-13;  8:1-14

        「我所愛的，你何其美好！何其可悅，使人歡暢喜樂！」雅歌 7:6

        今天換個方向，我來寫段關於婚姻幸褔的提醒和分享吧！

       根據我個人淺薄的了解來分享，華人的文化和習俗往往會把孩子放在家庭的中心，家長一輩子就是為著兒女而活，為的就是要望子成龍、望女成鳳。特別是在獨生子女政策的情況下，父母更加的把一切的寄望、關懷、注意力都放在這唯一的孩子身上。也就是為此，父母們全心全力的培育、照顧、和提拔兒女，一直到他們成人、成家、立業。

        但是往往在這段時間裡面，因為全心的注目著兒女，自己會把另一半給忘記了。孩子還在家的時候，兩人的關係還是會因為有好好養自己的孩子這樣的共同目標持續的緊密連繫著。但是當孩子離開家的那一天，這個目標已經達成、已經不在了，因而兩人竟然忘記了彼此單獨相處的模式，甚至對於與彼此曾有的浪漫多了一份奇怪的陌生。

        這是多麼令人婉惜的啊！別忘了，當時和你許下一輩子要相守的約定的人不是你的兒女，而是你的配偶！在孩子離開家後，還要再繼續面對和相處下去的，是那天在禮堂裡，站在那裡和你面對面的那個人。是那個你從第一次見面，到有點關注，到有點心動，到心裡的小鹿亂撞，到第一次約會，到時時刻刻想到這個人，到清楚地知道這是神為你預備的，是你要一生相守的人。

        若是你還沒面臨或是跟本沒有這樣的問題，那太好了，繼續的保持夫妻之間的愛和浪漫。若是你開始察覺了一點不好的跡象，那就去回想當時的浪漫和心裡的激動，就像是當年絞盡腦筋，無論做什麼都可以的去做，就只是為了給對方好的印象。重新的投資規律的時間和精力去與自己的另一半約會，重新拾起並且建立屬於你們自己的浪漫。一些例子像是邀請你的另外一半去公園走走，去博物館看看，嘗試新的餐廳，逛個沒去過的超市等等的，都是很好的方式。但若是你已經結婚了，我相信也不需要多說什麼，每個人肯定都有自己的法子和獨特的方式，要不然當時是如何擄獲芳心呢？

        我期待著哪一天，我和小喲可以因為看到認識的任何一對夫妻在咖啡廳裡談情說愛，而讓我們感到「太肉麻啦！」而悻悻的溜出咖啡館。我相信別人眼中感受到的肉麻，肯定是屬於你們獨特的、滿滿的浪漫。             — Bob Liu